Are the AirPods 3 noise-cancelling? Apple's new earbuds explained

Are the AirPods three noise-cancelling? Apple'south new earbuds explained

the apple airpods (3rd generation) true wireless earbuds

(Image credit: Apple tree)

If information technology feels like you've been waiting ages for the AirPods 3 to launch, that's because... well, you accept. We've been hearing rumors about Apple'south latest truthful wireless earbuds pretty much since their predecessors launched in 2019 – and now they've finally arrived.

The Apple tree AirPods (3rd generation) were appear on October eighteen, 2021 at the make's Unleashed event, which also saw new MacBooks and updated colors for the HomePod mini unveiled.

Coming with a bevy of cool new features including Spatial Audio, custom-built drivers, and a longer battery life, the AirPods iii are a big improvement upon the 2019 AirPods.

In that location are a lot of new specs to get your head effectually, which is why we've put together this quick guide to answer all the questions you may accept about the AirPods 3.

And so, if you don't have time to trawl through the AirPods (3rd generation) lengthy spec sheet, read on for the top things yous should know about Apple's new wireless earbuds.

a woman wearing the airpods (third generation) while working out — (Image credit: Apple)

How much exercise the AirPods 3 toll?

The Apple AirPods 3 cost $179 / £169 / AU$279, and are available to preorder from the Apple Shop now – though they don't officially go on auction until October 26.

That'due south a bit pricier than the AirPods 2 toll when they launched dorsum in 2019, but the new AirPods come with a wireless charging case every bit standard – that's something yous had to pay extra for with the previous AirPods.

If yous're planning on selling your old AirPods to fund your next purchase, exist certain to read our guide on how to reset AirPods.

Practise the AirPods 3 come with noise cancellation?

No, they don't. Unlike the AirPods Pro, the new AirPods probably won't be able to block out a significant amount of environmental dissonance.

You lot will go some passive noise cancellation from the unproblematic act of placing the earbuds against your ear canal, simply they won't use their inbuilt microphones to feedback the clever anti-noise frequencies that are required for active noise cancellation.

The passive noise cancellation probably won't be super effective, either. That's because the AirPods three are designed to residuum confronting your ear canal, different earbuds with silicone or memory cream eartips, which sit down further into your ears, creating a good seal confronting the noise of the outside earth.

So, if noise cancellation is a dealbreaker, you're ameliorate off buying the AirPods Pro, or looking at other noise-cancelling earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM4 or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds.

a pair of airpods 3 in their charging case with an ipad and iphone — (Prototype credit: Apple)

Practise the AirPods three support Spatial Audio?

Yes – that'due south a big selling point of the new AirPods. Like the AirPods Pro and the AirPods Max, the new 3rd-gen AirPods are compatible with Apple's immersive sound technology.

This technology applies directional audio filters to content in 5.ane, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos, making it audio as though music or film soundtracks are coming at you from every angle.

Using gyroscopes and accelerometers built into the AirPods three to measure your head movements, the Spatial Audio tech then ensures that the audio is e'er coming from the correct management.

Tin can I notwithstanding buy the AirPods 2?

Yes, you lot can – the 2019 AirPods oasis't been discontinued. Instead, they've been given a permanent price cutting, making them an appealing option for anyone on a strict upkeep.

The AirPods 2 at present cost $129 / £119 / AU$219. They previously cost $159 / £159 / AU$249 with the standard charging case, and $199 / £199 / AU$319 with the Wireless Charging Case bundled in.

You can still buy the Wireless Charging Instance separately for $79 / £79 / AU$129 - only now that the bundle is no longer available, this is more expensive than only buying the new AirPods three.

What is the difference between the AirPods 2nd and third generations?

While they look like, there are lots of differences between the AirPods 3 and their predecessors.

Firstly, they come with a new design that looks more similar to the AirPods Pro, with shorter stems that characteristic force sensors you tin can squeeze to control your music and phone calls. The AirPods iii too sport an IPX4 water resistance rating, making them for suitable for use while working out, and a skin-discover sensor that automatically stops your music when the AirPods sense that they're not in your ears.

They also contain new drivers, which are designed for depression distortion, likewise as support for Spatial Sound – and overall they offering a much better audio performance every bit well. Unlike the AirPods (2019), the new AirPods come with Adaptive EQ, which tailors the sound of your music based on how they fit in your ears.

While the 2019 AirPods offered 24 hours of playback in total (that'due south about four from the earbuds and a further twenty hours from the charging case), the new AirPods 3 offer a 30-hour max battery life (though that drops back downwards to 24 if you're using Spatial Audio). They also come up with a wireless charging case (that's MagSafe-compatible), which is something you had to pay extra for with the AirPods ii.

Which are the best AirPods?

Fifty-fifty though the AirPods 3 are excellent, our choice for the best AirPods are still the AirPods Pro, which offer a great sound operation, a secure fit, and expert noise cancellation.

Notwithstanding, the AirPods iii come with a superior battery life (xxx hours equally opposed to 24 hours), and they're cheaper, too.

While the AirPods Pro are the current all-time all-rounders, the AirPods Max are the best Apple headphones when it comes to pure audio quality. These over-ear headphones boast an incredible soundstage, as well as a unique design that sets them autonomously from other wireless headphones.

The 6 AirPods 3 features we wanted from Apple – but didn't go

Olivia is TechRadar'south Audio & Music Editor, covering everything from headphones to music streaming services. Based in TechRadar's London offices, she'south a popular music graduate who worked in the music industry before finding her calling in journalism. She's previously been interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on the subject of multi-room audio, chaired panel discussions on diversity in music festival lineups, and her bylines include T3, Stereoboard, Top 10 Reviews, Creative Bloq, and Croco Magazine. In her spare time Olivia likes gardening, painting, and hanging with her cat Ethel and golden retriever Dora.